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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 7/17/2000Minutes of the Regular Meeting July 17, 2000 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson, Trustees Flemming, Kira, Kusse, Lynn, Meinhardt, Dunning; Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber, Supt. of PW Cross, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Chief Evans. Others: Robin Palmer, Adelaide Gomer, Kathleen Daneini, Susan Benish, and Kay Newman. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM and opened the meeting to the Privilege of the Floor. Adelaide Gomer asked for a summary of the findings of the Village Deer Committee as presented to the Board at the Regular Meeting of June 19, 2000. Mayor Anderson read the appropriate passage from the minutes of that meeting. Mrs. Gomer informed the Board that she is doing an independent feasibility study in order to confirm the Deer Committee's findings. She also announced that Jay Kirkpartick of Zoo Montana who is an authority on deer sterilization would be coming to Ithaca to speak in the near future. She will inform the Board of the time and place when it is determined. Mayor Anderson noted that it is the feeling of the Board that a sterilization program would be the preferred method of deer management. There were no corrections to the minutes of the June 19, 2000 meeting. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Flemming, VOTED to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 19, 2000. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Lynn, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Mayor Anderson reported on the following: Norma Manning has been appointed as the new Village Clerk and will begin in the next few days. There have been reports from Bonnie MacDougal about a fox on her property and from Pat Meinhardt about peacocks that have wandered from a nearby residence. There is a hope that the animals can co- exist. The NorthEast Subarea Transit Study (NESTS) would like to continue their study of the possible routes for transportation. And have asked the Board for support. Resolution 5204 - Support NESTS Study VOTED to participate in the continuing NESTS study for one year and to give support not to exceed $5,000. Trustees, Kira, Lynn, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Trustee Fleming voted NO. There have been recent newspaper articles about the 11 items noted for concern by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Group. Water quality is a component of all 11 items and phosphorus treatment by the Wastewater Treatment Plants is high on the list for State and Federal consideration. 1 There was a report from the Census Bureau noting that they will begin field interviewing for quality control and that the first data will be released by the first of the year. There will be a meeting of the Ithaca- Tompkins County Transit Committee Planning Group on 7/18/00 at 10 am. The Local Government Leaders will meet on 7/19/00. There was a letter for the Tompkins County Planning Federation asking for a volunteer from the Village to participate. NY State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) has asked for nominations of Officials and Employees who have served the Village for over 25 years to receive awards. The Regional Planning Group is continuing to meet to study the joint sewer project. There was a brief discussion of the aims of the group and the Villages participation in the joint project. It is the Villages position that they will not do anything to cause the cost of service to the Village resident to rise and that the Village will continue to operate independently is it is advantageous to the Village. Superintendent of PW Cross presented his report, which is on file and reported on the following: _ A resident on Cayuga Heights Road has constructed a stone retaining wall in the Village right -of -way without a permit and which poses a danger. He has not responded to attempts by Mr. Cross to rectify the situation. The property owner has now been notified that if he fails to contact Mr. Cross in one week's time village personnel will remove the wall. The Board asked Mr. Cross to make sure that all similar situations be treated equally and fairly. Mr. Cross noted that the driveway of the Villages property at 825 Hanshaw Rd. is an encroachment on a neighbor's property. He is considering relocating the driveway, however it would require cutting one tree. The Board asked him to contact the neighbor and inquire whether he would consider giving the Village an easement. There was also a brief discussion of the future use of the house after the new firehouse is completed. Jeff Frisbie has been hired as the new Mechanic. He comes from the City of Ithaca with considerable experience in working in a similar position. Treasurer Silber indicated the importance of developing a letter of employment to be given to all new employees stating the terms of employment and benefits. The previous contract for uniforms and uniform laundering has expired and it was the consensus of the men that they preferred a clothing allowance. Subsequently new work clothing has been purchased. This policy will be reexamined at a later date to determine if this is how it will be handled in the future. The North Campus Gateway Committee of the Transportation Council has been meeting to discuss a North Campus entrance to Cornell. Mr. Cross will continue to monitor their discussion in order to prevent adverse effects on the Village. Trustee Fleming asked that Supt. Cross call a meeting of the Public Works Committee very soon in order to discuss the brush situation at the bam facility Police Chief Lansing presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: 2 Officer Lanning held his first DARE graduation at the Cayuga Heights School and the Northeast School. This finishes his first year as a DARE officer. Officer Steinmetz has been out due to a broken ankle and Officer Day has temporarily returned to a more active role in order to cover some of Officer Steinmetz missed time. Officer Boyce has recently taken some time off due to the birth of a new baby girl. There was a brief discussion of the continuing problems at Kendal. Fire Chief Evans presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - There were 66 emergency calls in June, 49 fire- fighting and 17 medical emergency. - There were many storm related and hazardous condition calls. - Chief Evans presented a report by Paul Sarokwash, which is on file, on the progress of the firehouse project. - Clerk Kord brought up a safety issue concerning parking in front of the Firehouse which is currently blocking the sidewalk forcing pedestrians into the roadway. Chief Evans will look into the situation. - It was reported that during recent firefighter training sessions one man was injured. Chief Evans took appropriate action. - The Rescue Squad has requested of the Fire Council that additional personnel be trained and license in Advanced Life Support (ALS) since there currently is no one on staff that is licensed. The was a brief discussion of the need for paramedics, the cost involved, and the additional liability for the Village. Chief Evans will relay the Trustees comments to the Fire Council. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: The PBA contract is being circulated for final signatures. Attorney Tyler reviewed the Village Dog Ordinance and felt that no changes are needed, but that stronger enforcement of the existing ordinance should remedy any problems. He did recommend that the fine should be increased from $25 to $75. He has looked into creating a Master Plan or Comprehensive Plan and found that according to State Law 7 -722, Section 1, 1999 it is not required that the Village have one. However if the Board feels it is necessary to form such a plan, the content for inclusive topics is given in Section 3 of the same law. He noted that adopting such a plan would require a Public Hearing as well as a SEQRE review. - Attorney Tyler reported that the Putnam wrongful death law case has been stalled in the court system since November 1999. Since Mr. Tyler will not be able to attend the August Board Meeting he asked if he should arrange for another attorney from his firm to be in attendance. Treasurer Silber will contact Laurie Johnson. Trustee Lynn asked that the Board consider devising some methodology for new Board Members to become acquainted with issues and procedures so that they could be better able to serve as active participants in Board votes and discussions. 3 Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: He has several personnel issues that he would like to bring up at the next meeting. He will discuss them with Laurie Johnson in advance of the meeting. A new server for the computer system will be ordered this month, which should take care of numerous computer problems that have been occurring. There was one change to the Abstract of Warrants; the entry in the Sewer Fund for Pro Gas Welding Supply for $49.75 should be omitted. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to accept the Abstract of Warrants, with one omission, in the following amounts: Capitol Fund - $160,645.76; Water Fund - 43,370.55; General Fund - $40,486.39; Sewer Fund - $22,621.72. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Lynn, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Dunning voted YES. Clerk Kord had no report. Attorney Tyler thanked her for filling in on short notice. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Lynn, VOTED to adjourn at 9:45 PM. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Lynn, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Dunning voted YES. Elizabeth Kord Clerk 4